Agency pages

The mission of the Aiken Area Council on Aging is to provide health, wellness, nutrition, transportation, social and other services that enhance the quality of life, independence, dignity and aid in the prevention of critical acute care needs of our community.

The agency was organized in 1969 by a dedicated group of local volunteers who thought that Aiken County needed a “focal point” for information, referral and counseling for older adults and their families. AACOA received its charter as a non-profit corporation from the South Carolina Secretary of State in 1971.

The organization has grown and developed over the years, with guidance from a dedicated Board of Directors, support from an incredible group of hundreds of volunteers from all parts of Aiken County, funding from many individuals, local, federal and state sources and the efforts of a loyal and enthusiastic staff to be a comprehensive multi-purpose agency.

In 1995, The Board amended the agency’s charter to add the provisions of transportation services of the general public to our purpose.

The mission of the Aiken Boxing Club is for Aiken County youth and young adults to thrive and achieve their highest goals not only in competitive sports but also within their schools, community and peer environments. It is designed to increase inner/outer changes through a plan of amateur boxing designed to build and strengthen their feelings and self-worth in a vigorous and demanding sport requiring discipline, pride, respect, obedience, loyalty, fidelity and enthusiasm. Provides diversion to substance abuse, violence and delinquency.

Provides information, education and prevention services in an effort to affect the attitudes individuals have towards the use and abuse of psychoactive substances and deterring many of the problems associated with alcohol and drug abuse.

A 24-hour crises intervention, information and referral service for all citizens of Aiken County. Volunteers are trained by professionals in the community in the areas of responding to crisis situations, listening skills, and information on community resources.

To bring together leaders of existing programs that help prevent teen pregnancy. To serve as the planning body for organizations and citizens interested in researching the problem and developing effective interventions. Acts as the primary public awareness and education body within the County regarding the problem, prevalence, and consequences of teen pregnancy and implements strategies and programs to reduce incidence of teen pregnancy in Aiken County.

Reducing disabilities and deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke through research, education and community programs.

Coordinates immediate emergency assistance (food, clothing, and shelter) to Aiken County residents suffering disaster loss. Provides worldwide emergency communications network for members of our armed forces and their families. Administers training in adult, child, and infant CPR, First Aid, Life guarding and Aquatic Safety Training, AIDS education. Ensures a safe supply of blood to area hospitals via blood services. Provides information, guidance, and counseling services.

The mission of Area Churches Together Serving is to give temporary and emergency aid to persons in need in the name of Jesus Christ. Services provided by ACTS include clothing, food, furniture (for burnouts mainly), financial help with utilities and prescriptions, and referral to other community agencies. Our goal is to provide physical help but to also provide spiritual help when needed.

Promoting positive youth development through recreation, tutoring and educational programs for children ages 5-17. Program takes place after school at the Brothers and Sisters site under the supervision of the Program Coordinator.

The Child Advocacy Center of Aiken County helps to decrease the trauma experienced by children who have been sexually or physically abused by providing forensic interviews, medicals and counseling in a child-friendly environment, and to provide an effective collaborative response system for child victims of abuse through the multi-agency multidisciplinary team. They also provide knowledge to the community in the area of child sexual abuse prevention.

Provides Therapeutic Childcare Services. The program consists of a multi-level psychological developmental system of services designed for and delivered to abused, neglected, victimized and other at risk children, ages 3-12, and their families. The child’s full range of intervention strategies include developmentally appropriate education, behavior management, social skills education, play therapy, speech and language therapy, health and growth monitoring, and wholesome nutritious meals. Parenting classes and individual Family Treatment Plans are developed to assist parents in changing their behavioral patterns with their children.

The clinic provides medical care to residents of Aiken County who are with private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid or any other form of medical assistance. Hours of operation are Tuesday and Thursday 5:00pm – 9:00pm.

Provides Domestic Violence program consisting of non-shelter counseling, legal advocacy and emergency shelter services to victims of domestic violence. Sexual Assault program serves as a rape crises center for victims of sexual assault (over 16 years of age) and child victims of non-familial sexual assault. Completely confidential.

Providing residential, health, education and counseling programs for Aiken County young women 10 and older experiencing the problems associated with single-parent pregnancy.

Promotes citizenship, good character, self-reliance, and personal fitness to area youth. This is done through Comprehensive Youth Development Programs; Substance Abuse Education; Pre-Job Guidance and Job Training; Protection of Children from Neglect, Abuse, and Exploitation; Specialized Services for the Disabled.

Providing an informal educational program for girls 5-17, providing activities designed to instill in girls the learning, values and self-esteem to become skilled, caring, successful women.

Solicits, collects, warehouses and distributes donated grocery products to a six county service area of west central South Carolina. These food items are distributed to Emergency Food Pantries and On-Site Feeding Programs in the before mentioned area.

Providing emergency shelter and nurturing for abused, abandoned and neglected children ages birth to 17 with 24-hour supervision including food, clothing, and medical attention.

Hitchcock Healthcare Center provides medical and rehabilitation services to Aiken and surrounding communities; and as a community based organization, Hitchcock remains dedicated to making a profound impact on the quality of life of the adults and children who seek our care. As a leader in healthcare services, this not forprofit organization depends on the generosity of donors and its relationship with United Way to deliver professional services with quality outcomes. Today, we are setting the standard for health care, offering a full range of quality services including: Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy for both children and adults.

Providing 24-hour emergency medical assistance to calls, which originate in the 911 system and to the Aiken County EMS when needed. Also assist areas outside of Jackson such as Aiken, North Augusta, Langley, Bath, Clearwater, and New Ellenton.

Provides medication assistance through the MAP Program to persons without prescription coverage or financial means to obtain medications prescribed by other physicians.

Services include: information, referral and advocacy; education and awareness outreach; mental health screenings; QPR (Question, Persuade and Refer) quality suicide prevention training offered to a variety of audiences; housing and supportive transitional housing (Northgate Apartments, Aiken Housing Authority-Hahn Village), placement via referral; Nurture Home – a program designed for homeless single mothers and their children, placement via referral only; emergency infant material assistance; Don’t Duck – a program promoting mental health awareness for children and youth in Aiken County; emergency food assistance (qualification for assistance as determined by Golden Harvest Food Bank guidelines).

Provides cancer patient support and cancer screening and prevention programs.

Providing after-school care (Prime Time) and tutorial programs to Aiken County elementary school-age children, focusing on math and reading skills.

Provides a 24-hour emergency housing shelter for men, women, and families, as well as job placement, counseling and referral by an onsite caseworker. Assistance provided the low-income, elderly, unemployed, disabled, and others with special needs. Food, clothing, and utility assistance offered as need indicate and resources allow. Administers activities, which enhance individual’s social, spiritual, and emotional well-being.

Provides Developmental and Vocational Services for adults with disabilities that include a Sheltered Workshop, Mobile Work Crews, Enclave and Competitive Employment through Job Coaching. Administers Children’s Services/Prevention Programs, which targets children with mental retardation or who are at risks, ages 0-21, as well as their families. Also provides volunteer recruitment and referral.

The United Way Association of South Carolina is the leadership, training and technical assistance arm of your local South Carolina United Way and the administrative agency for the South Carolina Commission on National and Community Service.

We help United Way Boards and volunteers understand their role in organizational governance and accountability. We provide low-cost training for staff to ensure they are using best practices in their daily work. We advocate for public policy that can create positive change in local communities throughout the Palmetto State. We want to inspire every resident of South Carolina to give back to their community through volunteer service.

In other words, we’re making sure that your United Way gift has real impact.
Live United – Give, Advocate, Volunteer

In 2008, United Way initiated a 10-year program designed to achieve the following goals by 2018:

• Improve education, and cut the number of high school dropouts — 1.2 million students, every year — in half.
• Help people achieve financial stability, and get 1.9 million working families — half the number of lower-income families who are financially unstable — on the road to economic independence.
• Promote healthy lives, and increase by one-third the number of youth and adults who are healthy and avoid risky behaviors.

Our goals are ambitious, but with your help, and by utilizing our core strengths — a national network, committed partners and public engagement capacity — we can achieve them.